The Fox and the Pigeon

The Fox and the Pigeon

     A fox was wandering around a farmhouse. In the middle of the yard stood a large dovecote on a wooden

pole. Her eyes immediately fell on a plump pigeon preening itself on the perch.

     "That would be a real delicacy,” she thought, "but how can I get to it?”

     She thought and thought—and finally came up with a trick.

     She called out to the pigeon:

     "Dear pigeon, how beautifully you coo!”

     The bird became alert. A fox under the dovecote—nothing good could come of that.

     "Your cooing is so pleasant to hear. It sounds so gentle and soothing. But I'm old now, and my hearing is

failing. So please, fly down, sit on my snout, and coo to me,” said the fox in her sweetest voice.

     But the pigeon wasn't foolish. He immediately guessed what the fox was up to, and answered just as

sweetly: "With pleasure, dear fox, I'll fulfill your wish. But today I'm tired. I've been flying all day long. Come

back tomorrow at this very hour.”

     The fox was delighted. She congratulated herself on how cleverly she had arranged everything. Her

mouth was already watering in anticipation.

     The next day, just as agreed, she came back.

     The pigeon greeted her cheerfully: "I'll be right with you, dear godmother. Just close your eyes—so you

can better enjoy my cooing.”

     The fox did as she was told and smiled contentedly.

     At that very moment, the pigeon dropped a hammer from above. It fell straight onto the fox's head.

     Her eyes went dark. She thought her last moment had come. Such a surprise she had not expected!

     From above, the pigeon called down kindly:

     "If you ever wish to hear my cooing again, come by anytime! I'll be happy to see you.”

     The fox was beside herself with rage. She quickly fled the yard, and from then on, she always gave the

dovecote a wide berth.

     Translated into English by artificial intelligence.

     Published:  https://firesnake.eu